Developer- and Publisher-specific Articles: Mass Effect 3

Commander Shepard and crew set out on their final journey today with the launch of the last single-player DLC pack for Mass Effect 3, Citadel. The last hurrah features characters from throughout the trilogy who arrive to help eliminate an emerging threat. The characters are also playable in the new Armax Combat Arena, a 10-scenario training program that pits the crew against waves of enemies. Lastly, a new casino has been added, the Citadel’s Silver Coast Casino, as well as a new, customizable station-based living quarter.

Just when you thought Commander Shepard had retired, BioWare has called him—or her—back into action. EA has announced that two new DLC packs are being primed for release, the free multiplayer pack Reckoning and the for-pay single-player pack Citadel. Reckoning will launch on February 26 and include new characters, upgrades, and weapons, and will be previewed on BioWare Edmonton’s twitch.tv channel on February 25 at 9:30 a.m. (PST). Citadel, the last single-player pack, will launch on March 5 and feature characters from all three titles on a mission set inside the sprawling space station.

Wii U owners looking for an intergalactic adventure will be able to ship out today with Mass Effect 3 Special Edition. The new version includes five single- and multiplayer DLC packs (Earth, Extended Cut, From Ashes, Rebellion, and Resurgence), as well as Genesis II, an interactive comic from Dark Horse that covers the events of the first two games. GamePad support has also been added, allowing for direct play on the controller and use of the touchscreen to control team abilities and movements as well as to view enemies on a tactical mini map.

BioWare has kicked off N7 Day with the release of Mass Effect Trilogy for 360 and PC. The $59.99 collection will be available for the PS3 on December 4, and will mark the first time PS3 gamers get a chance to experience the original in full as either part of the set or as a standalone download from PSN for $14.99. Current players will be able to get into the festivities tomorrow with the N7 Day Loyalty Pack, a one-day-only free DLC drop. The 360, PC, and PS3 download will include rare weapons and six consumables.

BioWare has announced that Mass Effect 3’s largest multiplayer DLC pack to date will launch on October 9 for 360, PC, and PS3—for free. Retaliation, detailed below, adds new map hazards, a new challenge system that rewards accomplishments, and the Collectors as a playable faction.

EA has announced that they will be inaugurating the first annual N7 Day, a celebration of all things Mass Effect, with a new collection for 360, PC, and PS3. The release of Mass Effect Trilogy, available November 6 for $59.99, will not only be the first of many N7 Day events, but it also marks the first time that the original Mass Effect will be available for PS3. Additionally, for PS3 gamers who already own the second and third titles, the original will be available on PSN.

Nintendo has detailed the North American launch of the Wii U today. The system will be available on November 18 in two versions, the $299.99 Basic Set and the $349.99 Deluxe Set. A full list of the 50-plus launch-window titles was also provided.

Mass Effect 3: Earth, the next free DLC drop, will be hitting Live Arcade, Origin, and PSN next week. Earth, detailed below, will include three new maps, six new N7 characters, three new weapons, 12 new modifications, 11 new upgrades, new platinum difficulty, and new in-mission objectives—whew.

The epilogue DLC announced to address fans’ concerns over the ending of Mass Effect 3, Extended Cut, has launched for 360, PC, and PS3. The free download adds new cinematic sequences and scenes as to offer fans “deeper insights into how their personal journey concludes.”

Mass Effect 3 owners with access to the Galaxy at War component will be able to download the Rebellion Pack for free on May 29. The DLC drop, detailed below, adds two new maps, a new team objective, a new equipment slot, and new characters to multiplayer.